Hamas Rocket Critically Wounds IDF Officer

An IDF reservist officer suffered critical wounds early Wednesday afternoon when a Hamas Katyusha rocket exploded in the Eshkol area.

The injury was only announced in the evening, after the officer's family was notified.

Earlier Wednesday, seven people were injured when a mortar shell struck the Eshkol area. Two of the wounded were taken to hospital in serious condition. Others, including four IDF soldiers, were taken to Soroka and Tel Hashomer hospitals. They were described as being in light to moderate condition.

The IDF released a summary of the eight days of Operation Pillar of Defense Wednesday evening. All in all, 1,506 rockets were launched at Israel. Of these, 875 fell in open spaces and 58 in residential areas. Iron Dome shot down 421 rockets.

Five Israeli soldiers and civilians were killed and 240 people were injured.